Ban on alcohol to be enforced at Kaneohe sandbar for holiday

The Department of Land and Natural Resources plans to strictly enforce the ban on alcoholic beverages at the Kaneohe sandbar during the upcoming Admission Day weekend.

The department will also replace missing buoys that mark the safety zone of the sandbar. Four white and orange buoys were reported missing following the July Fourth weekend and other buoys were damaged or dragged into deeper waters.

Damage or removal of the buoys is considered a petty misdemeanor.

The ban on alcohol was approved by the state land board in June to address disorderly conduct at the sandbar, Ahu O Laka, during three-day weekends that include state holidays. Overcrowding and fights were occurring primarily during three-day weekends.

Three citations were issued over the July Fourth weekend for unauthorized possession of alcohol. Two active-duty soldiers were each fined $50 and a third boater was fined $200.

Enforcements officers will patrol the area this weekend. Officials from the Division of Boating and Recreation will be at the harbor passing out flyers to remind people of the ban.